Activity 1

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Middle Georgia State University *

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3201

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Philosophy

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Apr 3, 2024

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pdf

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4

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The Concept of Culture Name Date Activity 1.8 CULTURAL RELATIVISM AND ETHNOCENTRISM Most researchers of culture have adopted a philosophy of cultural relativism to some extent. Cultural relativism refers to the idea that behavior in a particular culture should not be judged by the standards of another culture. The extreme opposite of cultural relativism is ethnocentrism. An ethnocentric perspective uses the standards of one's own culture to judge the practices of a different culture. This activity encourages you to explore the complexities of the concepts of cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. Directions: For each of the behaviors listed below, determine whether you would be likely to take the perspective of cultural relativism or ethnocentrism. 1. Although bullfighting is illegal in the United States, a bullfighting academy has been operating in Southern California since 1996. Students at this school do not train with real animals, yet the San Diego County Humane Society opposes the school, which it views as promoting animal cruelty. One of the founders of the academy, however, takes the position that bullfighting is an important cultural practice and should not be prohibited. Would you support cultural relativism or ethnocentrism in this case? Please explain. 2. In 2005, King Abdulaziz University of Saudi Arabia paid Virginia Tech University in the U. S. $246,000 to design and operate summer courses for 60 of their faculty. Following Saudi custom and the preferences of the King Abdulaziz University professors, the 30 female professors and 30 male professors were taught in separate classes. Several Virginia Tech faculty members objected, stating that this action violates federal anti-discrimination laws. Would you support cultural relativism or ethnocentrism in this case? Please explain. [ Lt
Chapter 1 3. |n some cultures eating dog meat is an acceptable practice. In fact, in response to a 1988 incident in which two Southeast Asian immigrants to the United States killed a German Shepard puppy for food, a state bill was passed prohibiting such behavior. Would you support cultural relativism or ethnocentrism in this case? Please explain. 4. A Quebec court has ruled that a 12-year old Sikh boy should be allowed to wear his ceremonial sword - known as a kirpan - while he is at school. For devout Sikh men, wearing the kirpan is an essential part of the religious faith. The decision overturned one made by his school which banned him from carrying the small blunt metal dagger because they regarded it as a weapon. Would you support cultural relativism or ethnocentrism in this case? Please explain. 24
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